Mini Review – The Two Towers

From Goodreads:

This edition is from the four volume, deluxe pocket boxed set containing The Hobbit and the three volumes of the Lord of the Rings series. The books are soft leatherette bound with a stamped titles and come together in a matching box.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom.

Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin–alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.

Continuing with my Buddy read of the Lord of the Rings series, I again had so much fun reading this instalment. I really liked the structure of this book. You know its going to be a good book when the first chapter has you in tears. The breaking of the Fellowship at the end of book 1, it was interesting to follow the stories on there three distinct paths, following first Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli on their hunt for Merry and Pippin, then getting the two hobbits side of the story and once reunited the combined story, before we went back again to follow Frodo and Sam’s Tale.

I have to admit to being far more invested in the first half of the book following Aragorn and company compared to Frodo’s tale. Even the never ending Ent chapter – which is this books Tom Bombadil – was really entertaining. I was on the edge of my seat not wanting to put the book down as we encountered the Riders of Rohan and overjoyed when characters previously lost re-joined the company. I really wanted to stay with this side of the story and continue on to see what happened to them as they continued towards Gondor.

I initially was not as captivated by Frodo and Sam’s side of the story. I found it a little boring and slightly repetitive for the first few chapters we spent with them, it wasn’t until we encounter Faramir that I really found myself invested in this side. By the end of the book I was again at the edge of my seat. The fact that this book leaves you in this little Cliff-hanger tense moment it fantastic and I am really eager to pick up The Return of the King now.